Gritting Priorities - Roads
We are responsible for maintaining a road network of approximately 1558km (968 miles) in length. It is impossible to treat every location at the same time, therefore each road has been assigned a Priority for gritting - a list showing the priority of each road can be found within Appendices C and D of the Winter Service Operational Plan. On receipt of an adverse weather forecast, we will consider pre-treating Priority 1 roads to prevent the formation of ice, or to make the clearing of snow or ice from the surface of the road less difficult. The Priority 1 Network is covered by 13 gritting routes, which treat almost 40% of our total road network.
To view a map that displays both Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads, please scroll to the bottom of this page, or click here
Our priorities are detailed in Part 1 of the Winter Service Operational Plan, and summarised in the table below.
| Priority 1 |
Main Routes between communities,or major traffic distributors within communities which carry heavy traffic flows. Covered between 6am - 9.30pm Monday to Sunday and on public holidays. |
| Priority 2 |
Secondary routes between small communities or within larger communities. Covered between 8am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, after completion of higher priority roads. These routes will not be treated on Sundays or Public Holidays |
| Priority 3 |
Access roads to isolated communities in rural areas or link roads in urban areas. Covered between 8am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, after completion of higher priority roads. These routes will not be treated on Sundays or Public Holidays |
| Priority 4 |
Local access roads, service roads and minor roads in urban areas. Covered between 8am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, after completion of higher priority roads. These routes will not be treated on Sundays or Public Holidays |
| Priority 5 | Private (un-adopted) and privately maintained roads are not treated unless requested by an emergency service. |
Please note: Trunk Roads (A96 and A95 Keith to Aviemore) are the responsibility of Transport Scotland and are maintained by Amey (08000 830084) on their behalf.
Time Scales
The Priority 1 Network is treated first and a treatment for frosty or icy should be completed within 2.5hrs. When ploughing of snow is necessary, the treatment of the Priority 1 Network will take considerably longer. Treatment on the remaining network will be carried out, when necessary, in priority order (e.g. P2, then P3, then P4).
Due to the reactive nature of this operation, we are unable to give a clear indication as to when a particular road will be treated.
Map
The map below shows Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads.